A coup d'état is the forcible removal of an existing government from power through illegal and unconstitutional means. The goal is to seize power for oneself or a select group's engrichment, not to destroy the system.
| Action | Example | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Attempts to bypass constitutional processes | Ending Birthright Citizenship | Yes |
| Interference with peaceful transfer of power | [Citation needed] | No |
| Unauthorized changes to constitutional interpretation | [Citation needed] | Maybe |
| Suspension of constitutional rights | [Citation needed] | Yes |
| Attempts to alter term limits or election timing | [Citation needed] | Maybe |
| Bypassing legislative oversight | [Citation needed] | No |
| Unauthorized expansion of executive powers | [Citation needed] | Maybe |
| Interference with judicial independence | [Citation needed] | No |
| Manipulation of constitutional amendment processes | [Citation needed] | Maybe |
| Violation of separation of powers | [Citation needed] | No |
| Action | Example | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Undermining election integrity | [Citation needed] | Maybe |
| Attempts to delegitimize democratic processes | [Citation needed] | Yes |
| Suppression of opposition parties | [Citation needed] | Yes |
| Interference with free press | [Citation needed] | Yes |
| Manipulation of voter registration systems | [Citation needed] | No |
| Intimidation of election officials | [Citation needed] | Maybe |
| Restriction of public assembly rights | [Citation needed] | Maybe |
| Interference with independent election monitoring | [Citation needed] | Maybe |
| Manipulation of electoral districts | [Citation needed] | Maybe |
| Attacks on civil society organizations | [Citation needed] | Maybe |
| Action | Example | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Refusal to comply with legal orders | [Citation needed] | No |
| Abuse of emergency powers | [Citation needed] | No |
| Politically motivated prosecutions | [Citation needed] | No |
| Interference with law enforcement independence | [Citation needed] | No |
| Selective enforcement of laws | [Citation needed] | No |
| Intimidation of legal professionals | [Citation needed] | No |
| Obstruction of justice | [Citation needed] | Yes |
| Undermining judicial decisions | [Citation needed] | Yes |
| Creation of parallel legal structures | [Citation needed] | No |
| Abuse of pardoning powers | [Citation needed] | No |
| Action | Example | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Military leaders publicly questioning civilian authority | [Citation needed] | Maybe |
| Military units moving without civilian authorization | [Citation needed] | No |
| Unauthorized military presence in civilian areas | [Citation needed] | No |
| Military interference in civilian politics | [Citation needed] | Maybe |
| Deployment of military for domestic law enforcement | [Citation needed] | Maybe |
| Military control of communication infrastructure | [Citation needed] | No |
| Military leaders making political statements | [Citation needed] | No |
| Unauthorized military surveillance of civilians | [Citation needed] | No |
| Military blocking access to government buildings | [Citation needed] | Maybe |
| Military coordination with political factions | [Citation needed] | No |